With the likely departures of Shawn Horcoff, Eric Belanger and Jerred Smithson this summer, the Edmonton Oilers are in a position where they need to rebuild their depth chart at centre. Aside from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (who underwent surgery this summer) and Sam Gagner (an unsigned restricted free agent), the Oilers simply don’t have reliable NHL options.

Could some of the answers be found in this summer’s class of unrestricted free agents?

We’ll look at the Eastern Conference options later on; for now let’s look at the West.

The Western Conference Class

This isn’t a strong group, and it gets weaker once seen through the prism of the Oilers’ needs. The names that stand out to me are as follow (in alphabetical order).

Steve Begin. The 35-year old enjoyed a surprisingly effective campaign in Calgary after getting released by Vancouver last year and spending the season before that in the minors. He’s a smallish (6’, 192 pounds) agitator who hits, fights and kills penalties; there is no questioning his effort but there are better players on this list.

Kyle Chipchura. Chipchura really found a home in Phoenix the last couple of seasons after bouncing around the league over the last few years, but despite improved offensive totals he’s in the same range as most of the fourth-line guys on this list; he has yet to crack the 20-point mark in the majors and was never particularly prolific in the minors either. He has decent size (6’2”, 203 pounds) and fights more than most of the guys on this list but he’s not a regular penalty-killer and his on-ice totals aren’t particularly good.

Matt Cullen. He’s definitely a little on the old side (he turns 37 in November) but he’s coming off a very strong season and has been a reliable secondary offensive option for his entire career. Like Filppula, he plays centre and wing, both special teams and wins faceoffs (54.7 percent last year); at 6’1”, 200 pounds he’s also slightly bigger.

Valtteri Filppula. The Finn with the impossible to spell name is coming off a disappointing 2013 campaign, one where he picked up just 17 points over 41 games. On the plus side, he has a history of offensive production (generally in the 35-40 point range, though he recorded 66 in 2011-12), he can play both centre and left wing, he’s a strong faceoff man (winning 55.4 percent of his draws last year) and he just turned 29 in March so he’s in the prime of his career. He’s played on both special teams in Detroit, though primarily on the power play. As far as negatives go, there aren’t many; the most glaring one is that he hopes to cash in this year (reportedly seeking more than $5 million per season). He’s also a little on the small side (listed at 6’, 195 pounds).

Boyd Gordon. Bruce McCurdy wrote a nicely detailed piece on Gordon as an Oilers option a few days back; he’s a defensive specialist and a very good one. Like both Cullen and Filppula he’s a mid-size forward (6’, 200 pounds) and not overly physical; unlike those two he is a dedicated checking centre who has never topped 30 points in an NHL season. Ownership uncertainty in Phoenix means he may very well find himself looking for a new home this summer, but he’s a guy who likely tops out as a third-line centre.

Maxim Lapierre. Every time I say his name I feel the urge to duck; the Canucks agitator is roundly disliked in Edmonton but that doesn’t mean he would be a bad fit for the team. Like Gordon, he’s a defensive specialist who wins faceoffs, kills penalties and sits in the prime of his career; unlike Gordon he is significantly bigger (6’2”, 207 pounds) and extremely physical. Vancouver has been slow to talk to him, so he’s likely heading elsewhere this summer. His offensive numbers also have some possibility of improvement – like Gordon, he’s never cracked the 30 point barrier but he has been a ~20 point scorer in situations where he started almost exclusively in his own end. In a more balanced role, he might deliver more.

Manny Malhotra. One of the best third-line centres in the league between 2005 and 2011, Malhotra’s career is in some jeopardy after suffering a major eye injury near the end of the 2010-11 season. No player in the Behind the Net era has played more defensive minutes; given how close Malhotra came to zero offensive zone usage under Alain Vigneault it’s possible no player in NHL history has started a higher portion of his shifts in the defensive zone. The question is whether the 6’2”, 220 pound centre – who still kills penalties and excels in faceoffs – has lost his game to that eye injury, or whether he’d rebound if given less Sisyphean minutes.

Brad Richardson. Richardson has a Stanley Cup ring, but far more importantly once upon a time he fought Teemu Selanne:

He’s been an effective utility guy with the Kings, but unlike many of the other options here he isn’t a penalty killer and despite playing a chippy game he isn’t all that big. On the other hand, he’s had some pretty good offensive seasons for a fourth-liner – he was a point-per-game guy in the minors and despite poor totals the last few seasons has occasionally challenged the 30 point mark in limited minutes.

Jerred Smithson. Oilers fans have had an opportunity to see Smithson firsthand, and he isn’t especially exciting. What he might be is useful as the team’s fifth centre – the guy who sits in the press-box much of the time and fills in as needed. He kills penalties, wins faceoffs, makes safe simple plays and adds a bit of size (6’3”, 209 pounds) and a willingness to hit. If he comes cheaply enough, the Oilers could do worse in a reserve role.

David Steckel. The Oilers could do a lot worse than David Steckel in a fourth-line role. The 31-year old stands 6’6”, kills penalties, wins faceoffs (he’s one of the best in the league in that role) and has an above average physical game. He’s also a guy who does a consistently good job of limiting shots and chances against in a highly defensive role – over the last four years he’s generally been on the ice for three defensive zone draws for every two in the attacking zone. He doesn’t add a lot offensively – he’s in the 15-20 point range most years – but given role and minutes played that’s not bad.

Recently around the Nation Network

Quoting a statement by Seattle's mayor, Mike McGinn, Hansen introduced a pair of potential investors to Seattle city council. McGinn said to KING TV, "As recent news reports indicate, it appears the NHL is taking the new ownership proposal seriously."

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Jonathan Willis is a freelance writer.
He currently works for Oilers Nation, Sportsnet, the Edmonton Journal and Bleacher Report.
He's co-written three books and worked for myriad websites, including Grantland, ESPN, The Score, and Hockey Prospectus. He was previously the founder and managing editor of Copper & Blue.

The Oilers attempt at going after Ufa's has been minimal when bidding wars develop . Any good one will have several suitors . I doubt they will go that route . They have to use the trade route as far as I am concerned , and we are being quiet on that front . I,d like to see Smyth be the new assistant coach next season if things go well in acquisitions .

I wonder what DSF did with his evenings before he decided to spend them all responding to articles about a team he doesn't even like?

Wow, since 11:00am DSF has posted on this article 30+ times. Seriously old man, find something else in your life besides this website. Of course I should find something better to do than count all your comments ... maybe I'll go watch all the Grandlund highlights on YouTube.

Why so angry DSF? Mommy not feed your kitty? Here is a concept for you. Add to the conversation, don't take from it and turn it into a DSF hate fest. You make some real good comments. Stick to those and stop pissing of oilers fans. If your team is any team but the oilers then go to any other of the 29 teams sites. Oilers fans have been beaten down for years, we don't need you to add to the misery. It's the off season and a time for hope. So I ask of you. Let us have our hope without you being a controlling dick.

I wonder what DSF did with his evenings before he decided to spend them all responding to articles about a team he doesn't even like?

Wow, since 11:00am DSF has posted on this article 30+ times. Seriously old man, find something else in your life besides this website. Of course I should find something better to do than count all your comments ... maybe I'll go watch all the Grandlund highlights on YouTube.

I guess all those people, like the guys on tsn/sportsnet and the vancouver canucks and the new york rangers and the edmonton oilers, who believe Eakins to be ready for primetime are all mistaken. And you are right. How stupid of everyone.

There were far better coaches with a winning track record to choose from.

Eakins might well work out fine but there is significant evidence that AHL head coaches fail at the the NHL level.

Would you like a list?

I would like a list.

Prior to a list, we should agree on what defines failure.

Then, for the sake a balance, please provide a complimentary list of coaches who did not "fail" at the NHL level. We can add a "neutral" category to that categories as well, if you like. Let's just make sure we're above board before embarking here.

I would also appreciate it if you made this list inclusive of all head coaches since creation of the league.

Then, for the sake a balance, please provide a complimentary list of coaches who did not "fail" at the NHL level. We can add a "neutral" category to that categories as well, if you like. Let's just make sure we're above board before embarking here.

I would also appreciate it if you made this list inclusive of all head coaches since creation of the league.

DSF fact is neither of us are right...yet. Wins and losses are all thay matters. And MacT and Eakins havent had a chance to win or lose in these positions.

I like the moves that have been made. And thats enough for me. I dont have to justify that to you. Because unlike you i dont need my spelling and grammer to be perfect or be right all the time because my self worth is not tied to the comment section of this website.

I will pray for restoration and healing for you. I know what its like to be that angry. Its no way to live.

There were far better coaches with a winning track record to choose from.

Eakins might well work out fine but there is significant evidence that AHL head coaches fail at the the NHL level.

Would you like a list?

When hiring a coach, you also need to keep in mind their coaching style and how it fits with your team.

With Eakins, he has a history of coaching young, developing players and he has a winning record doing so. Tortorella coached a team that is built much differently than the Oilers are. At least Mactavish is trying to make a competitive club already; I'll take a proactive GM that fails over one that does nothing and fails (looking at you Tambellini)

Also, I don't think that because he coached in the AHL that makes him a lesser coach. Patrick Roy was hired as a coach in Colorado and I haven't heard you criticizing that move. He has no NHL coaching experience. They look more and more like an old boys club each day...

Then, for the sake a balance, please provide a complimentary list of coaches who did not "fail" at the NHL level. We can add a "neutral" category to that categories as well, if you like. Let's just make sure we're above board before embarking here.

I would also appreciate it if you made this list inclusive of all head coaches since creation of the league.

Perhaps that's true, but Gagner is 3 years younger, and offense tends to be a more valued element for forwards than defense is. Not saying it always is but it usually is.

Usually but Ganger is..below average defensively. And if he has a higher cap hit...i think those two things even it out. Really you could argue that a number of ways. But with Lestestu and Anisimov I think those two and Dubinsky are the same type of player.

So even if its not for Ganger..i think they need a different type of center in the mix. And Dubinsky is the guy id ask for out of Columbus

Usually but Ganger is..below average defensively. And if he has a higher cap hit...i think those two things even it out. Really you could argue that a number of ways. But with Lestestu and Anisimov I think those two and Dubinsky are the same type of player.

So even if its not for Ganger..i think they need a different type of center in the mix. And Dubinsky is the guy id ask for out of Columbus

You realize the Jackets also have Ryan Johanssen and Boone Jenner, right?